[100thmonkey]

I see the bible as having been put together from Egyptian and Sumerian/Babylonian beliefs, or at least the parts that relate to the topic at hand, ie. Nephilim/Watchers/Anunnaki, etc.

The jews were in captivity in both countries for a long time, and both countries are much older than ancient Israel.

Ever noticed how similar Adam and Atum are? The first creation, the land rising from the waters, naming all things, his enemy the serpent...?
...or how the Egyptian gods formed men out of the mud of the Nile and breathed into them the breath of life, and so on?
...or the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh with the story of a single man warned by the gods to build a boat and take animals on board, the world flooded and he eventually released doves to find land, etc.

I think all these stories have an essence of truth and that truth has been reflected in many cultures through history. The bible happens to be the version of that history that our culture has held onto.

The various PTB through history have used and abused it as the basis for their authority.

As for it's relevance to modern times, I think it's prophecies are being artificially fulfilled by the current PTB, who are following it's script.